Carroll gets keys to Atwood property

For the first time in more than a year, the Atwood Lake Resort & Conference Center was bustling with activity Friday. About 150 people gathered in the dining room to watch as the executive director of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District handed over keys to the facility to the Carroll County commissioners.

For the first time in more than a year, the Atwood Lake Resort & Conference Center was bustling with activity Friday. About 150 people gathered in the dining room to watch as the executive director of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District handed over keys to the facility to the Carroll County commissioners.

“It gives me great pleasure to turn these keys over,” John Hoopingarner said as he handed them to Commissioner Jeff Ohler, just before the room exploded in applause.

The audience included former lodge employees and county, state and federal officials.

The ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the 47-year-old lodge, which had been slated for demolition last summer after losing about $1 million for the MWCD in 2010, its last year of operation.

Amid public outcry after announcing its decision to raze the lodge, the MWCD reversed its decision and offered to donate it to one of three entities — Carroll County, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources or Kent State University at Tuscarawas in New Philadelphia. Only Carroll County was willing to take it.

The MWCD board of directors voted in November to turn over the 511-acre property — including the 104-room lodge, two golf courses and tennis courts — to the county.

A key factor in the deal was the MWCD’s willingness to include the mineral rights. The county has agreed to invest back into the lodge all profits from the leasing of oil and gas on the property.

Officials hope to reopen the facility this spring, once an agreement has been reached with a company to operate the lodge on behalf of Carroll County.

Commissioner Tom Wheaton, who spearheaded negotiations for the county, said this moment was a long time coming.

“There were many ideas over the past four years on how Atwood Lodge could succeed — way too many to mention,” he said. “There were more ideas than I care to remember, and for that matter probably many of us want to. At times there were jabs going both ways when we were all working toward getting the best outcome for our individual entities.”

He described the negotiations between the MWCD and the county as tedious but engaging.

“I’ve learned a lot from all of you and I thank you, although I wouldn’t want to do it again,” he told Hoopingarner. “This gift has turned out to be a very workable agreement for many years to come for Carroll County. To receive this gift from MWCD is more than I could have ever imagined. It is very generous of MWCD and we the people of Carroll County greatly appreciate the gift. Thank you very much, and we will do our best to ensure that this beautiful property continues to serve the people just as MWCD has done.”

Page 2 of 2 -
Ohler urged those in attendance “to say a few prayers for us. It’s a big challenge.” But he added, “We will make this work.”

Kent State Tuscarawas will play a role at the lodge, offering classes for its students there, Gregg Andrews, the campus dean, said after the ceremony. He added that talks between campus officials and Carroll County have been very specific in recent months.

“You will be hearing some news down the road as we finalize our role and mission here,” he said.

Kay Onstott of Dellroy, who worked at the lodge for 26 years, said she was extremely thankful and excited about the transfer. “I think it will work,” she said, “but it will take a little bit of time.”

Brenda Menapace of Dennison, a 25-year employee who served as front desk supervisor, said she had been coming to the lodge since she was 13. “It’s part of my life,” she said, and she looked forward to it being a great place to stay again.